Americanism is a question of principle, of idealism, of character. It is not a matter of birthplace, or creed, or line of descent.
Theodore RooseveltRead
Of all the questions which can come before this nation, short of the actual preservation of its existence in a great war, there is none which compares in importance with the great central task of leaving this land even a better land for our descendants than it is for us.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the responsibility to improve the world for future generations.
The quote by Theodore Roosevelt reflects a profound concern for the legacy we leave behind for our descendants. It highlights the imperative responsibility of each generation to enhance the environment, society, and opportunities available to future generations. By prioritizing the improvement of our nation over mere survival, it urges us to think beyond ourselves and work towards a better future.
Themes
LegacyFutureResponsibilityImprovementDescendants
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech about environmental conservation.
More from Theodore Roosevelt
All quotes →It tires me to talk to rich men. You expect a man of millions, the head of a great industry, to be a man worthhearing; but as a rule they don't know anything outside their own business.
Theodore RooseveltRead
No man should receive a dollar unless that dollar has been fairly earned.
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Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground.
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Conservation means development as much as it does protection._x000D_ _x000D_ A man's usefulness depends upon his living up to his ideals insofar as he can.
Theodore RooseveltRead
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; . . . who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.
Theodore RooseveltRead
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